Formula 1’s calendar has undergone substantial changes in recent years, some triggered by the pandemic, and others enacted by Liberty Media—with further changes, particularly aimed at regionalization, planned for the future. Now that the dust has settled on a swathe of contract extensions and short-term alterations Autoweek looks at the current structure.
On October 13, it was announced that the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps would remain on the Formula 1 schedule at least through 2025.
Here’s a quick look at how long each circuit is under contract to host an F1 race and their chances on a 1-5 scale for not only making it to the end of the deal, but also for going beyond the current expiration date:
Bahrain – Contract runs through 2036
Long-term prospects: 5/5
Bahrain is approaching its third decade as a Formula 1 venue and is a strong partner of the championship. It has hosted the season-opener for the last three years and has also been the venue for pre-season testing. At the start of 2022 a long-term contract extension, running through 2036, was announced between Formula 1 and Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia – 2031
Long-term prospects: 5/5
Saudi Arabia is relatively new to Formula 1, having joined the schedule in 2021, but it is more likely to add a second race when Qiddiya is complete in 2027 than drop from the roster. The Kingdom is not short of money, regards sport as a key pillar of its development, and has a contract through 2031. It is in line to open the 2024 season in Jeddah.
Australia – 2037
Long-term prospects: 5/5
Australia’s predicament was wobbly amid the height of the pandemic and its strict lockdowns, with 2020’s race abandoned and 2021’s event cancelled. Its 2022 return was lauded and a 10-year extension was announced a few months later. A further two years was added to that deal last December, and as part of the arrangement Melbourne will host the season opener four times through 2037.
Azerbaijan – 2026
Long-term prospects: 4/5
Azerbaijan joined Formula 1’s calendar in 2016 and in the enforced axing of Russia it is the only event in the region. The country’s contract was due to expire in 2024, but the series and venue announced Baku’s contract for Formula 1 at the high-speed Baku City Circuit has been extended through 2026.
Miami – 2031
Long-term prospects: 5/5
Liberty Media strived since its arrival to add a Grand Prix in Miami and after years of planning the city was finally included on the 2022 schedule. It marked the first in a 10-season contract, tying Miami to Formula 1 through 2031, and organizers are hoping to enhance the event in year two.
Imola, Italy – 2025
Long-term prospects: 2/5
Imola returned in only 2020, as a pandemic stand-in race, but surprisingly secured an extension through 2025, with fans returning in 2022. Italy already has a long-established Grand Prix at Monza and Imola would likely be one of the first events on the chopping block if space is needed.
Monaco – 2025
Long-term prospects: 3/5
Formula 1 and Monaco agreed a three-year deal through 2025 last season after lengthy negotiations, believed to favor Formula 1 commercially, ending Monaco’s prior anachronistic terms. Monaco’s luster has dimmed in recent years, amid Formula 1’s expansion elsewhere, combined with larger and more cumbersome cars accentuating poor races.
Spain – 2026
Long-term prospects: 4/5
Spain’s race teetered on the brink, securing only a one-year extension for both 2020 and 2021, but surprisingly a five-year extension was then agreed to keep Formula 1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The nation also has two representatives on the current grid, with Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, and the ever-popular Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin.
Canada – 2031
Long-term prospects: 5/5
Canada signed a long-term agreement through 2029 back in 2017 which gave organizers the long-term stability to undertake much-needed investment in the crumbling venue. A striking new paddock building was complete in time for the 2019 race and was fully operational upon 2022’s return, which came following news that the contract was extended through 2031 to account for the cancelled 2020 and 2021 events.
Austria – 2030
Long-term prospects: 5/5
The revival of the Austrian Grand Prix was a passion project for the late Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz. He invested heavily in the Styria region, with Formula 1’s return in 2014 a key component of that, and the recent renewal of the event through 2030 can be regarded as something of a legacy.
Great Britain – 2024
Long-term prospects: 4/5
Silverstone hosted Formula 1’s inaugural championship race in 1950 and Britain has been an annual staple ever since. The event is one of Formula 1’s best-attended, Britain is home to seven of the 10 teams, and while crowd-puller Lewis Hamilton is now 38, the support of British fans extends way beyond one figure.
Hungary – 2032
Long-term prospects: 5/5
In July, Hungary and F1 extended their deal though 2032. Hungary has been a mainstay since 1986 but the infrastructure at the Hungaroring is in desperate need of an upgrade.
Belgium – 2025
Long-term prospects: 2/5
Belgium’s hope looked grim until an extension was announced that will keep the race at Spa through at least 2023. Spa-Francorchamps remains a stupendous circuit, rich in history. Belgium was handed only a one-year extension for 2023, ostensibly because Formula 1’s hopes to return to South Africa collapsed. Some argue that Belgium cannot compete financially with newer, shinier venues long term.
Netherlands – 2025
Long-term prospects: 4/5
It is safe to say that the Dutch Grand Prix owes its revival to Max Verstappen. The event returned in 2021 amid a plethora of orange in the grandstands and the Grand Prix’s contract was extended through 2025, having been set to expire after 2023. For as long as Verstappen retains his fanbase the Dutch GP can be regarded as pretty safe.
Monza, Italy – 2025
Long-term prospects: 4/5
No circuit has hosted more Grands Prix than Monza in Formula 1’s 73-year history and only once, in 1980, has it dropped from the schedule. It has not always been a picture of financial health, and as with many European venues cannot compete with new money, but it has a contract through 2025 and is of huge importance to Ferrari.
Singapore – 2028
Long-term prospects: 5/5
There were concerns during the pandemic that Formula 1’s first night race, inaugurated in 2008, could fall by the wayside. Had Formula 1 done all it could to raise Singapore’s profile? Last year’s comeback allayed such fears as it successfully returned and secured a contract extension through 2028.
Japan – 2024
Long-term prospects: 4/5
Japan’s Honda-owned Suzuka Circuit signed a three-year deal through 2024 during the pandemic and Formula 1 has long had an established presence in the country. Honda’s continued participation in Formula 1 with Red Bull assists but is not the contributing factor to the country’s grand prix.
Qatar – 2032
Long-term prospects: 5/5
Qatar joined Formula 1 as a pandemic stand-in in 2021 and agreed a 10-year deal from 2023, missing 2022 to focus on hosting the World Cup. Post-World Cup soccer, Qatar is investing heavily in sports and the Lusail Circuit is being renovated ahead of October’s race.
Austin, Texas – 2026
Long-term prospects: 4/5
Formula 1 continues to boom in the U.S. and authentic Austin is hugely popular in the paddock. After a rocky period COTA continues to diversify and now has a contract through 2026 in its pocket. If Formula 1’s growth continues in the US across the next few years, and Austin continues attracting almost half a million fans, an extension is a no-brainer.
Mexico City – 2025
Long-term prospects: 3/5
There was a subtle change between 2019 and 2021 as Mexico’s race became Mexico City’s race. Large entertainment group, CIE, which promotes the race, was assisted by Mexico City’s mayor in preserving the event and it has a contract through 2025. Its future long-term may depend on political machinations, the outcome of elections, and whether Checo Perez is still around.
São Paulo – 2025
Long-term prospects: 4/5
Brazil’s Formula 1 round wobbled amid uncertainty over Interlagos’ future in conjunction with plans to construct a new facility near Rio de Janeiro partially backed by the then government. Those proposals have since collapsed while Brazil’s race is now the São Paulo Grand Prix, run under new management, providing a not-so-subtle hint over new funding avenues.
Las Vegas – 2025
Long-term prospects: 5/5
This is the jewel in the crown for Formula 1: a night race through the Las Vegas Strip this November. Formula 1, which is involved in the promotion of the grand prix, has an initial contract through 2025 but Las Vegas authorities approved regulations in February to shut the Strip through 2032—indicating the long-term plans for the event.
Abu Dhabi – 2030
Long-term prospects: 5/5
Abu Dhabi has cemented its status as Formula 1’s season finale and prior to the 2021 Grand Prix a 10-year extension was reached. That means Yas Marina will stay through at least 2030 and it is expected to hold the finale throughout that deal.
China – 2025
Long-term prospects: 3/5
China is now in the fourth year of its COVID-related absence but its strict lockdown is now over and the country still holds a deal with Formula 1. That deal runs through 2025.
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